'P*.»r^;.% 9. 








*" . 








0^ *-^;4j, '^o. 











iOr*. 








.7* .A, 



« A. >• * 


























"•^^ ^^ '"' 










^'^^C.^' 














.tf*- 'o, -. . . • A <. 

o > 





^°-^^. 




0^ O -o.» 



THE 

STORY OF JOSEPH 

By 

ELLEN THOMPSON 

With Illustrations by Eva M. Truesdell 




THE C. M. CLARK PUBLISHING CO. 
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS 



T5 3r3 7 

.was 7 



Copyright, 1911 

The C. M. Clark Publishing Co. 

Boston, Massachusetts 



CCI.AS12I0S 



THE STORY OF JOSEPH 



There was a man of ancient Bible 

fame 
Whom all called Jacob till God 

changed his name, 
And Israel then was he, of Canaan 

fair, 
A man respected much both far and 

near. 
Twelve lusty boys he had, and I 

shall tell 
Their names, although I cannot rhyme 

them well: 
Dan, Asher, Reuben, Gad, and Zebu- 

lun — 
You see there's not a rhyme in any 

one — 
Another son was known as Naphtali, 
(You can pronounce his name if you 

but try) 

1 



The Story of Joseph 

Then Levi, Simeon, and Judah, who 
Were huntsmen bold, and trusty 

shepherds, too. 
And Issacher and Benjamin, the 

rest. 
With Joseph whom the father loved 

the best. 

Now Jacob was a man both kind and 

good, 
Who cherished each one as a parent 

should. 
But Joseph was the youngest, and 

we 're told 
That he was born when Jacob had 

grown old. 
And so a coat he made of every 

hue, 
'Twas green, and red, and gold, and 

purple, too. 
Then jealousy each brother's heart 

possessed. 
And bitter hatred gave their souls 

no rest. 

3 



The Story of Joseph 

The Lord was reverenced by this 

little lad, 
Who clung unto the good and 

shunned the bad, 
His heart was with his God, he 

prospered well, 
And though they wished him harm 

no ill befell. 

The bo3^ had dreamed full many a 

golden dream, 
Through which his future glorious 

did gleam; 
And when he told these to them 

o'er and o'er 
The older brothers hated him the 

more. 
The first dream showed awhile the 

harvest yield. 
His brothers' sheaves and his within 

the field; 
But Joseph's sheaf arose and up- 
right stayed. 
While all the other sheaves obeisance 

made. 

5 




ml 



The Story of Joseph 

Within the second dream he was the 

one 
To whom bowed down the stars, 

the moon, the sim. 
His story even gave his father pain — 
He bade him not to mention it again. 

Now Israel dwelt within the Hebron 

land, 
And flocks and herds had he on every 

hand; 
They'd cropped each blade of grass 

for miles around, 
And other pasture for them must be 

found. 
So into Shechem with the flocks to 

roam 
Ten brothers went; the others stayed 

at home. 

Some time passed by, and Jacob 

wished to know 
If each was well; for oh! he loved 

them so. 

7 



^^''^—— — -^ 




i^ - - '--^-^- '■ • ^\ 



The Story of Joseph 

He said to Joseph, " Go, my son, and 

see 
How fare the lads, and bring the news 

to me. 
So Joseph, always quick to do his 

part. 
Went on his way with glad and 

merry heart. 
Methinks he sang a happy little song, 
As o'er the lonely roads he trudged 

along; . , . ,.. 

A bundle of good thmgs his arms did 

fill 
To show the brothers they were 
cherished still. 

The vale of Shechem fertile was and 

blest 
With pastures of the greenest and 

the best. 
Far to the north of Hebron fair it 

lay 

Full sixty miles — a long and weary 
way. 

9 




10 



The Story of Joseph 

When Joseph reached the place he 

looked around, 
But neither flocks nor brothers could 

be found. 
But after wandering there he met a 

man 
Who said that all had left for far 

Dothan. 
This place was fully twenty miles 

away, 
And it must then have been near 

close of day; 
Let's hope the good man kept them 

all the night. 
And started him again by morning 

hght. 

But this is true — and be that as it 

may— 
The Lord was with young Joseph all 

the way ; 
And though alone upon the ground 

he slept 
The angels watched; the Lord his 

slumber kept. 

11 




12 



The Story of Joseph 

Afar the elder brothers saw him come. 
And knew the coat that had been 

made at home. 
Then hatred stirred their hearts and 

made them small. 
So that they held no love for him at 

all. 
"There comes that dreamer," one 

said to another, 
"Let's cast him deep in some dark 

pit to smother." 
So plotted they to kill him, giving 

vent 
To evil passions which their spirits 

rent. 

Then quick they laid their hands 
upon the lad, 

But Reuben sprang up and the rest 
forbade. 

"Shed no blood, brethren, I im- 
plore," he said, 

"But put him in this loathsome pit 
instead. " 

13 




14 



The Story of Joseph 

He hoped that later some good 

chance would come 
When he could free the boy and send 

him home. 
So off they stripped the lovely coat 

he wore, 
Though Joseph cried and begged as 

ne'er before; 
And while his soul was filled with 

deep despair 
They cast him in a pit and left him 

there. 
And, when they'd killed a kid, with- 
in the gore 
They dipped the coat that once 

young Joseph wore; 
And to his father they the garment 

sent, 
Declaring that wild beasts the lad 

had rent. 

Then down they sat to eat some 

bread near by. 
When lo! a band of IshmaeHtes drew 

nigh. 

15 




16 



The Story of Joseph 

The brothers knew these men brought 

things to sell. 
So Judah formed a scheme that 

pleased them well; 
"Let's trade the boy," he cried, 

"and make some gain, 
'Twill better be than that he should 

be slain." 
So to the men they quick the offer 

made. 
And twenty silver bits the merchants 

paid. 
We know to leave the pit the boy 

was glad; 
But oh! his youthful heart was torn 

and sad ; 
The sins of all his brethren made him 

sore. 
But — more than all — he'd see his 

home no more. 

Now Reuben had a heart both good 

and kind. 
And kept the plight of Joseph in his 

mind; 

17 




18 



The Story of Joseph 

The cruel story he had not been told, 
For he was absent when the boy was 

sold. 
Then to the pit in anxious haste he 

hied, 
Called Joseph loudly, but no voice 

replied. 
His grief was great, and quick his 

clothes he rent, 
"The child is not!" he cried, and 

made lament. 
But when he learned the truth he 

thought it well 
To tell his father nought of what 

befell. 

Then home all went pretending sor- 
row sore. 

In grief that they should see the lad 
no more. 

Their father's tears were pitiful to 
see. 

They sought to comfort, but it could 
not be. 

19 




^20 



The Story of Joseph 

He said for Joseph all his days he'd 
mourn, 

For he had been his pride, his young- 
est born. 

Now many years went by, and Joseph 

rose 
Sturdy and strong, triumphant o*er 

his foes. 
The merchantmen had gone to Egypt 

fair. 
To make a bargain with the traders 

there; 
And sure enough, they did not find 

it hard 
To sell him to the chief of Pharaoh's 

guard. 
A servant there, but one beloved he 

grew — 
His work well done he proved a 

treasure true. 
To Potiphar he then became so dear 
He placed him o'er his house as 

overseer. 

21 




22 



The Story of Joseph 

But evil tongues did work him harm 
at last 

And Joseph in a prison cell was 
cast. 

Within this dungeon Pharaoh's pris- 
oners lay 

Fettered, and worn with pain and 
fear each day; 

These to his care the prison-keeper 
gave — 

For some were mighty oflBcers, and 
brave. 

One was a man in the king's house- 
hold great, 

Another supervised the things he ate. 

They for some cause had ceased the 
king to please — 

The chief of butlers and of bakers 
these. 

Now each man dreamed a dream 

the selfsame night, 
And when the morning dawned they 

sought for light 
23 




24 



The Story of Joseph 

To show them what the meaning 

deep could be — 
For dreams had meanings in those 

days, you see. 
When Joseph went that morning^ on 

his round 
To tend the captives who with chains 

were bound, 
He noticed that these men were 

filled with dread; 
"Why do ye look so sad, my friends?" 

he said. 

The butler thereupon told all his 

woe: 
A grape-vine he had seen before him 

grow; 
Three branches from the stem were 

spreading wide. 
They bloomed, and grapes were seen 

on every side. 
"I pressed the grapes," said he, ''in 

Pharaoh's cup, 
The beverage gave to him; he drank 

it up." 

25 







: > .i i»y \.. n. ii .n .i .1 






26 



The Story of Joseph 

Joseph at once did understand the 

dream, 
"Three days, " said he, "Hke budding 

branches seem; 
Within that time thy sorrows all 

shall cease, 
And from the prison thou shalt go 

in peace; 
And, as of old, thou shalt before him 

stand 
And Pharaoh's cup dehver in his 

hand. 
Then think of Joseph when 'tis well 

with thee. 
And call the king's attention unto 

me. 
Please mention that I'm here with- 
out a cause, 
And that I 've always reverenced the 

laws; 
Tell him that I was stolen away and 

sold, 
And that I dwelt at Hebron fair of 

old." 

27 




28 



The Story of Joseph 

Encouraged was the baker, so he 

said, 
"I had three baskets piled upon my 

head; 
The top one held for Pharaoh bake- 

meats sweet, 
And all the birds that are flew down 

to eat. " 
Then Joseph's voice in bitter sorrow 

spoke, 
"Three days," he said, "will bring 

to thee a rope; 
Thou shalt be hanged upon a spread- 
ing tree. 
And all the birds shall pick the flesh 

from thee. " 

The third day was the birthday of 

the king. 
When noble courtiers gifts to him 

would bring. 
For all his servants then he made a 

feast. 
And bade them come, the greatest 

to the least; 

29 




30 



The Story of Joseph 

And in the midst of this festiv- 
ity 
He ordered that the butler should be 

free; 
But the poor baker he condemned 

to die 
By hanging to a tree 'twixt earth 

and sky. 
And 'twas the butler's joy again to 

stand 
To give the goblet into Pharaoh's 

hand. 
The man thus re-estabhshed in his 

place 
Forgot entirely poor Joseph's case. 

Two weary years for Joseph passed 

away. 
And Pharaoh, dreaming of the Nile 

one day, 
Saw out of it come seven favored 

kine 
Which fed within a meadow fair and 

fine. 

31 




32 



The Story of Joseph 

And then came seven more, thin as 

could be, 
And all the rest devoured greedily. 
But though they ate them up both 

one and all. 
Yet as before they still were thin and 

small. 
He woke, and then again he slept 

and dreamed ; 
Seven ears of corn upon one stalk 

there seemed; 
And full and fine and beautiful were 

these. 
That ev'n the most fastidious would 

please. 
Then seven others, blasted, poor, 

they grew. 
And quickly swallowed up the good 

ones, too. 

When morning dawned the king was 

filled with fear 
And sought the magi great both far 

and near; 




34 



The Story of Joseph 

Wise men, they were yet could not 

show the king 
If good or evil luck the dreams would 

bring. 
A vision then of Joseph seemed to 

rise 
Reproachfully before the butler's 

eyes; 
So that he told the king how Joseph 

knew 
The prison dreams, and how they 

both came true. 
Then Pharaoh sent at once and bade 

them bring 
The young man from the dungeon 

to the king. 

When Joseph heard he said, " 'Tis 

not in me. 
But in Jehovah shall thine answer 

be; 
The dreams are one, and in them 

thou shalt see 
How God, the great King, rules this 

land and thee. 

35 



The Story of Joseph 

The seven goodly kine and growing 

ears 
Of corn are seven rich and prosper- 
ous years; 
The kine and corn that grew ill-fed 

and thin 
Are seven more that usher famine 

in. 
Prepare thy realm, appoint a man 

this day 
To gather in a harvest while he 

may; 
Lay up rich store of wine and bread 

and meat. 
So that when famine comes all men 

may eat. " 

Then Pharaoh said, "To thee my 

men shall bow. 
None but myself shall greater be 

than thou. 
I make thee ruler over all the land. 
The keys of state I give into thy 

hand." 

37 




38 



The Story of Joseph 

On Joseph's finger then a ring he 

placed 
Which once the monarch 's own royal 

hand had graced; 
And round his neck a golden^^chain 

he threw, 
And gave him linen garments rich 

and new. 

At thirty years of age thus Joseph 

stood 
In Egypt's land, a ruler strong and 

good. 
The years of peace and plenty quick- 
ly passed, 
And bitter famine gripped the land 

at last; 
And every country felt its power 

sore. 
Yet Egypt was well filled with goodly 

store ; 
On Hebron, too, the ghastly famine 

lay, 
And Egypt sold her food day after 

day. 

39 




40 



The Story of Joseph 

Ten men from Canaan at the last 

did come — 
And this, you know, was Joseph's 

boyhood home — 
And 'mongst the slaves they roamed 

from place to place, 
In hopes that there they might see 

Joseph's face. 
For these his wicked brethren were 

who sold 
The lad mito the merchantmen of 

old. 

But Joseph was the governor of the 
land. 

And he himself sold corn on every 
hand; 

His brothers came and made obei- 
sance all. 

By which his olden dreams he did 
recall. 

And once again he saw his sheaf 
stand high; 

While those of all his brothers bowed 
near by. 

41 




42 



The Story of Joseph 

He thought it well they should be 

left in doubt 
Of who he was, so he could draw 

them out. 
That he was angry then he made 

pretence, 
And called them spies and rogues, 

and bade them hence. 

"We are no spies," they said, "but 

came to buy 
Food for our starving people who 

must die 
If thou dost not have mercy; we 

implore 
Thou sell us corn from thine abun- 
dant store." 
"Nay," Joseph said, "ye are both 

false and bad. " 
"Twelve sons," they cried, "are all 

our father had; 
The youngest one's no more, and 

one is home. " 
Said he, "Ye shall not go until he 

come. " 




44 



The Story of Joseph 

So three long days they were in 

prison cast; 
But Joseph called them all to him at 

last. 
And bade that one should stay as 

hostage good, 
While all the rest to Canaan should 

bear food. 
"Return," he told them, "with your 

brother, too, 
'Tis only thus I'll know that ye are 

true. " 
For much he longed young Benjamin 

to see, 
Since as a boy he'd loved him ten- 
derly. 

Now Joseph had a man interpret 

well 
His brothers' speech, so that they 

could not tell 
That he could understand what they 

might say 
To one another when they talked 

each day. 

45 




46 



The Story of Joseph 

One said, '*We guilty are in that we 

sold 
Our brother to the merchantmen of 

old; 
And after all these years we find our 

sin 
A sore and bitter harvest gathers 

in." 
Then Reuben spake, "Did I not say 

to you, 
Harm not the child, whatever ye may 

do? 
But ye would not at any time give 

ear, 
And now his blood's required of us 

here. " 

When Joseph heard he turned away 

and wept, 
Sent nine away, but Simeon he kept; 
And each man's money which for 

corn they paid 
Again within the sack of grain he 

laid. 

47 




48 



The Story of Joseph 

Now when each found the coin it 

brought him grief 
For fear he should be branded as a 

thief. 
When Jacob learned that Simeon 

had stayed 
His other sons he soundly did up- 
braid, 
Declared that Benjamin they should 

not take — 
If he were lost the father's heart 

would break. 
Then Reuben promised, "My two 

sons shall be 
Security; I'll take the lad with me." 

And now the famine fierce and 

fiercer grew, 
So that old Jacob knew not what to 

do. 
"To Egypt go, some food again to 

buy. 
Her sunny land will all our wants 

supply. " 

49 




50 



The Story of Joseph 

So spake he then, but Judah answered 

plain, 
"The ruler told us not to come 

again 
Unless we brought our younger broth- 
er there — 
Alas! our woe is more than we can 

bear. " 
Again said Judah, "Let us now be 

gone; 
Thou seest how the day is wearing 

on. 
If I bring Benjamin not back to thee 
Eternal shame and blame may rest 

on me. " 

At last poor Jacob gave a slow 

consent, 
And quick down Egypt 's tedious way 

they went; 
They took some honey, myrrh, and 

spice, and balm. 
In hopes that such a gift would keep 

from harm 

51 




52 



The Story of Joseph 

The brothers who as hostages should 

be. 
For aught thev knew, kept in captiv- 

^^ hen Joseph saw that Benjamin had 

come 
His heart was filled with joy; and to 

his home 
He bade his steward take all his 

brothers then 
And entertain them there like royal 

men. 

Now Joseph loved a daughter of the 

king 
And on her hand had placed the 

marriage ring; 
And when her husband's brothers 

now she knew 
She did her best to make them happy, 

too. 
But thinking of their sin of long ago 
They were afraid, and wanted hence 

to go. 

53 




f54> 



\ 

The Story of Joseph 

They showed the steward the money 

in each sack, 
And said they'd brought it all, and 

more, too, back. 

When Joseph came the present there 

he found, 
And all his brothers bowing to the 

ground. 
He took the gift, and sadly then he 

said, 
"Is Jacob, the old man, alive or 

dead.?" 
When of his father's welfare he was 

told 
He turned to Benjamin beloved of 

old, 
And said, "The Lord be gracious 

unto thee — " 
Then left the room and wept most 

bitterly. 
When he was quieted he washed his 

face. 
And sat at meat with them with 

cheerful grace ; 

55 




56 



The Story of Joseph 

And much they marvelled when they 

saw that they 
Each by his age at table sat that day. 

Then Joseph told the steward to fill 

with corn 
Each bag, for them to carry home 

at morn; 
And all the money which for this 

they'd paid, 
He bade within the sack's mouth 

should be laid. 
Said he, "When you the youngest 

one's fill up 
Don't fail to place in that my silver 

cup. 
When morning dawned, for Canaan 

they set out; 
But Joseph's steward went running 

thereabout. 
He asked them, "Is it thus that ye 

repay 
The governor, and steal his cup 

away?" 

57 




58 



The Stmy of Joseph 

They swore that they were innocent, 

and so 
Begged, "Open up the sacks and let 

us go. 
With whomsoever of us it shall be 
Let him be slain, and set the others 

free. " 

But said the steward, "If anywhere 

I find 
The cup, the one who stole it I shall 

bind; 
And he shall turn again to Egypt's 

land 
With me, for that's the governor's 

command." 
And then the search he hastily began 
Until at last he reached the youngest 

man; 
And when the cup with Benjamin 

was seen, 
They rent their clothes, and said that 

they had been 



59 




60 



The Story of Joseph 

Tricked by some fellow who for evil 

spite 
Had put the cup within the sack at 

night. 

So all went back to Joseph, in 

alarm 
Lest he should keep the lad and do 

him harm. 
And Judah begged that he himself 

should be 
Held as a slave, and Benjamin be 

free. 
He said his father's heart would 

break in twain 
If Benjamin did not go home again. 
Then Joseph said, *'Does not your 

memory bear 
Remembrance of some evil deed? 

Ye fear 
To meet the man who as a slave ye 

sold, 
I'm Joseph whom ye sought to slay 

of old." 

61 



The Story of Joseph 

Amazed they were, and could not 

say a word, 
While Joseph wept, and the Egypt- 
ians heard. 
Again he asked, "Does my dear 

father live?" 
They were afraid, and could no 

answer give. 
He bade them, "Come, my brothers, 

come and see 
That I am Joseph and none else than 

he." 
And as they slowly toward their 

brother crept. 
Upon the younger 's neck he fell and 

wept. 
And then he told them that while ill 

they thought 
To do, their deeds had only goodness 

brought. 
"The Lord," he said, "preserved my 

life this day, 
To save my land while famine held 

its sway. " 

63 




64 



The Story of Joseph 

And when on Pharaoh's ears the 

glad news fell. 
That Joseph found his brethren 

pleased him well; 
He said to Joseph, "To your brothers 

say 
I want you all to come and with me 

stay. 
And give them wagons in which all 

can ride, 
Your father and his relatives beside; 
Tell them that Egypt blooms, a land 

of flowers. 
And peace and plenty crown the 

passing hours. " 

So Joseph gave them bread and meat 

and wine, 
A goodly store of all things rich and 

fine; 
A splendid gift he also made his 

brothers. 
But Benjamin's was better than the 

others. 

65 




66 



The Story of Joseph 

To Jacob sent he such a mighty 

gift 
That twenty beasts the burden 

could not hft. 
Then home they went, and told their 

father, too. 
And he could scarce believe that it 

was true. 
But when he heard that Benjamin 

arrived. 
His sinking spirit speedily revived. 
He said, "The lad still Hves; though 

I am old 
These feeble arms shall yet my boy 

enfold. " 

But Joseph their arrival did not 

wait; 
He bade his slaves prepare his car of 

state; 
And quickly down the highway then 

he sped 
To greet the father whom he'd 

mourned as dead. 
67 



The Story of Joseph 

And when he saw him, from the car 

he stepped, 
Kissed those old cheeks, fell on his 

neck and wept. 
And poor old Jacob, filled with love 

and joy, 
Could only murmur, "Joseph, O my 

boy!" 
And while he lived 'twas Joseph's 

greatest pride 
To keep his father ever by his side; 
And over Joseph's tender care and 

love 
The Lord of all kept faithful watch 

above. 




68 



■^f 



r^AR 25 1912 


























0^ 




'oK 








'^^^^' 



<. 






.^^ '^^ 



"tr-y:}^ 








;55^S£^'. V.^'** : 



•.• ^^ ** '^w^^.' ^<,^ % --^p,' y '"* -yj 










. ^'^^ .y /ivV^^ "'^^^ j^^' •^^SiK'. ''ec A^' *>i 











































«• 'Jt 









HECKMAN 

BINDERY INC. 

/^ DEC 88 

"fwffi^ N. MANCHESTER, , , 



mmm 



:^:^mm 



;;';.Ji^ 






